Letterman Shakedown Suspect Feared Dave's Wrath: DA

Halderman allegedly said on tape he feared for his life

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Robert Halderman reportedly said he thought Letterman might have his home torched -- or worse.

Updated at 7:44 AM CDT on Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009

The TV producer accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman feared the CBS “Late Show” host would try to get even by burning down his house or even murdering him, prosecutors said in court papers.

"I don't know this person, I've never met this person. I have no idea who or what he is or is capable of,” Robert Halderman told Letterman’s wire-wearing lawyer, Manhattan prosecutors revealed on Monday, according to reports.

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Prosecutors accuse the 52-year-old “48 Hours” producer of trying to shake down Letterman for $2 million to keep embarrassing info about the late night comic’s personal life private. Halderman’s defense lawyer claims his client was simply shopping a screenplay.

The arrest prompted Letterman to reveal on-air that he’d had sex with staffers who had worked on his show and that he’d cooperated with authorities to nab the suspected blackmailer.

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Prosecutors allege that in secretly taped conversations between Halderman and Letterman’s lawyer, James Jackoway, Halderman pledged to sign a confidentiality agreement not to make the information he was in possession of public.

But Halderman dictated he would still keep extra copies of his tawdry files for “protection,” as he feared Letterman might retaliate against him, prosecutors said.